A nude exhibition in Addis

These are hard times for Ethiopia; the country is going through economic troubles.But as they say the show must go on.And sure it is, it is going on.Addis is as bright as ever in terms of its cultural and artistic offerings.One man even dares to expose nude pictures.

For the first time, a nude exhibition will open at Habesha Art Gallery here in Addis from June 27-July 3. The exhibition, entitled “Black diamonds”, will showcase 50 nude and fine art portaits by photgrapher Binyam Mengesha.Whether seen as innovative and inspired, or shocking or tasteless, the works are likely to raise eyebrows among the public. Binyam is not worried saying that ”they don’t violate obscenity laws.”

He says the photos are part of a wide collection and reveal some of the model’s body but not actually modeling naked.

Some of which decorate the walls of his studio, where I have come to meet him.He has shown me all of the photos but would only let me publish three of them.Fair enough!

Aida Muluneh shines in Bamako

Last weekend saw the opening of the 7th African Photography Encounters Bienniale in Bamako, Mali. A unique exhibition of work from Africa’s best photographers. This year’s event is special in that it features a section dedicated to video for the first time ever and the theme of the exhibition is “in the town and beyond”.  Ethiopian-born US-based photographer, Aida Muluneh is among the photographers exhibiting.

The BBC’s cultural entertainment program The Ticket’s  presenter asked Aida to tell about her work which he decribed as ‘the most talked about in the exhibition’.

 Aida explained about one of her works she took in Addis showing a little girl going for a ride with her father.

Here is my own quick transcription.